Forming Firm Foundations: Equipping Youth for Justice, Relationships, and a Broken World

Having journeyed alongside teenagers for as long as I have with children, I've come to deeply appreciate the unique landscape of their spiritual and personal development. These are pivotal years, filled with profound questions, emerging identities, and the dawning awareness of the world's complexities. My approach to teaching youth equips them with a robust faith that can navigate the inevitable brokenness of adult life.

In our time together, we delve into the core themes of scripture that resonate deeply with the teenage experience: justice, fairness, and the very essence of what a genuine relationship with God entails. It's crucial to move beyond a simplistic understanding of sin as merely a list of moral failings. Instead, we explore sin as the brokenness that permeates our relationships – the rifts between individuals, the systemic injustices that plague our communities, and the fractures that can exist in our connection with the Divine. Understanding sin in this relational context empowers them to see the broader impact of their actions and the interconnectedness of our world.

Furthermore, we grapple with the profound implications of what it truly means to be a Christian within the often-challenging high school environment. This isn't just about attending church or reciting creeds but embodying the love and compassion of Christ in the hallways, their friendships, and their engagement with a world that often operates on different principles. We explore how their faith calls them to be agents of reconciliation, advocates for the marginalized, and bearers of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

I aim to provide these young adults with more than just answers; it's about equipping them with critical thinking skills, empathetic hearts, and unwavering faith to navigate the complexities and the inevitable heartaches that lie ahead. These teenage years are crucial for laying a foundation of faith that is not fragile or naive but resilient and grounded in a deep understanding of God's love and the call to live justly in a broken world. It's a privilege to walk alongside them as they discover what it means to be Christ's hands and feet in their unique contexts.